E92 m3 valve cover gasket

[mubarak]

Hi: all
I have leaks on my valve cover gaskets,,,is it a must to do?
Car has 64500 miles now.
Is it dangerous if I did not do it soon,
Or I must do this as soon as possible?
Will it affect anything beside leaking oils?

Thank you .

[Bubbles]

Not dangerous if you aren’t losing a lot of oil but it makes a mess over time. I had to shopvac the center V before replacing the starter. The leak increases over time.

[motorworxsfl]

Also check your oil cap, They like to leak as well

[Johnny E92]

Originally Posted by motorworxsfl

Also check your oil cap, They like to leak as well

Originally Posted by motorworxsfl

Also check your oil cap, They like to leak as well

Yes agree, had mine serviced last week and they said 1 rocker cover gasket is 'weeping' a bit and also the oil cap, going back in next week to get both rocker cover gaskets done and the oil cap.

[Adriano917]

Not dangerous unless its leaking a lot, $100 and about 2-3hr job on a Sunday.

[TX]

Originally Posted by Adriano917

Not dangerous unless its leaking a lot, $100 and about 2-3hr job on a Sunday.

Hold up, who can do a complete valve cover replacement in 2-3 hours?

[Vuu]

Originally Posted by TX

Hold up, who can do a complete valve cover replacement in 2-3 hours?

After doing it myself, I can definitely get the job done in 2-3 hours.

Especially since it only takes like 30 minutes to remove everything.

[CamasM3e93]

Originally Posted by Vuu

After doing it myself, I can definitely get the job done in 2-3 hours.

Especially since it only takes like 30 minutes to remove everything.

I'm prepping to do this as well. Did you replace the bolts? You mentioned $100 so I am guessing not. There are 12 + 1 bolts on a side and they are running about $11 each across 3-4 websites. I understand the bolts on the valve cover have a crushable rubber grommet that isn't BMW replaceable by itself and may not be effectively reusable - but what's your experience?

[tdott]

Originally Posted by Adriano917

Not dangerous unless its leaking a lot, $100 and about 2-3hr job on a Sunday.

You are also suppose to replace the spark plug tubes and bolts with the rubber gaskets also which adds to the parts cost if you want to do the job right.

Then while you are there might as well replace the upper timing cover gasket (like $10 part).

Also one of the main reasons for the leaks starting is the paint in the grooves of the valve cover flaking off, so you want to ensure it is properly cleaned out before just slapping new gaskets on. Might as well have them powder coated while in there.

Just slapping new gaskets in, is asking for more leaks down the road imo. Inexperienced shops normally try that, then have to redo the job when it leaks again. Search for the thread where guys were still getting leaks after letting some shop only do gaskets.

[Vuu]

Originally Posted by CamasM3e93

I'm prepping to do this as well. Did you replace the bolts? You mentioned $100 so I am guessing not. There are 12 + 1 bolts on a side and they are running about $11 each across 3-4 websites. I understand the bolts on the valve cover have a crushable rubber grommet that isn't BMW replaceable by itself and may not be effectively reusable - but what's your experience?

I didn't mention $100?

If it's maintenance on this car, you either do it right or don't do it at all.

Go to FCP, and buy new gaskets (valve and timing), spark plug tubes, and bolts/rubber grommets.

If your valve covers are bad as well, send them off for sandblasting or purchase new ones.

All in all, I think I spent around $4-500 for just the items.

[CamasM3e93]

Originally Posted by Vuu

I didn't mention $100?

If it's maintenance on this car, you either do it right or don't do it at all.

Go to FCP, and buy new gaskets (valve and timing), spark plug tubes, and bolts/rubber grommets.

If your valve covers are bad as well, send them off for sandblasting or purchase new ones.

All in all, I think I spent around $4-500 for just the items.

My bad - $100 was another poster.

[TX]

Originally Posted by tdott

You are also suppose to replace the spark plug tubes and bolts with the rubber gaskets also which adds to the parts cost if you want to do the job right.

Then while you are there might as well replace the upper timing cover gasket (like $10 part).

Also one of the main reasons for the leaks starting is the paint in the grooves of the valve cover flaking off, so you want to ensure it is properly cleaned out before just slapping new gaskets on. Might as well have them powder coated while in there.

Just slapping new gaskets in, is asking for more leaks down the road imo. Inexperienced shops normally try that, then have to redo the job when it leaks again. Search for the thread where guys were still getting leaks after letting some shop only do gaskets.

He brings up a very good point. The covers are leaking not from a failed gasket, but from the the sealing surface on the covers flaking off. If you don't clean that up it won't be fixed and will continue to leak.

I did miss the timing cover gasket when I did mine. I wish I had done that. The reason I asked about the amount of time required is that I spent probably 1 to 2 hours on each side trying to get the old covers to release from the cylinder head. They essentially glue themselves on over 12 years. You don't want to pry against the aluminum heads with a pry bar like I see some people do and there isn't much else to use for leverage. I ended up running some zip ties down through various openings to form a handle which I could lift with. Sure you can take the pry bar to it, but you'll nick up the head. I used a plastic wedge tool to get it started and even that left one tiny scratch so I stopped using it.

and +1 replace spark plug tubes while you're in there.

Edit: If your covers are peeling you can send them out for for a few bucks to get refinished or just buy new covers. They include all new hardware and can be had for around $1100, by the time you refinish and buy new hardware and gaskets you should compare it against the cost of a full new set.